Dabney Says: State Parks Will Thrive
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When Walt Dabney became Director of Texas State Parks, most parks, and their equipment, were in sad shape.
07—That’s much better now. We’re not where we need to be, but we are moving along in a very positive fashion right now.
After 11 years of hard work with a talented and dedicated staff at Parks and Wildlife, Dabney is retiring, and insists the Texas Park system will be fine without him.
24—And I absolutely expect this to be the case: that it makes no difference when I leave. To the extent that isn’t the case, then I really didn’t succeed. Because any organization that’s dependent on a given personality isn’t going to be a successful organization. And so, I feel absolutely great that if I go out of here that there are people who can step in and probably take it to a higher level even than it is now.
Dabney has worked in the national and in state park systems for 42 years, and until his last day on August 31, he will continue to make Texas State Parks the best they can be…and finally even spend time enjoying them.
24—Somebody the other day said you’ve got the best job in the world, you spend all your time in parks. And I looked like them like I thought they were kidding. I don’t spend almost any time in parks. And when I do it’s to help them with a problem or something like that. I love to mountain bike, I love to fish and hunt, and I wouldn’t even mind swinging a golf club every once in awhile. I’ve got some park related projects that I want to do. You can’t do that by being in the office all day long.
We hope you enjoy your retirement, Walt, and we hope to see you in Texas state parks soon.
01—Oh, you will.
For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.
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